Following a comfortable 1-3 win over Reading, our man Chris Wathan takes a look at how the Swans are doing ahead of the start of the season

B&B Can give defenders sleepless nights

With Wilfried Bony back from World Cup rest, this was the first time manager Monk could start the indomitable Ivorian with his eye-catching Bosman signing from Lyon, Bafetimbi Gomis.

And those who wondered how and whether B&B – Bafe & Bony – could play together were given a fairly convincing answer at the Madejski.

Monk’s stressing that Gomis had been lured to the Liberty to play with Bony rather than replace him had led to suggestions a 4-4-2 diamond formation will be utilised this year; it still might, and when Swansea were without the ball here that is how they defended.

But with the ball Bony and Gomis operated in a three ahead of Sigurdsson, with Shelvey and Ki sitting. It worked, with Routledge making the most of the worry and problems spread by the two frontmen. Plenty of defenders will not fancy facing the strength and powerful forward play of the two, who showed the green shoots of a blossoming relationship.

Individually there are no problems. Bony’s pass for Routledge’s opener was perfect, while the way he held off his defender before an overhead kick pass to Sigurdsson set up the attack for his second was sheer class, both in strength and style.

Gomis too looked sharper than he has in previous outings, unlucky not to get a goal before his first on 65 minutes where he pounced on a Michael Hector error, raced away and then scooped a shot over Adam Federici.

They linked well enough, and it will be fascinating to see how they perform with another week of training ground work behind them when they face Villarreal next week. Whether it will be the preferred partnership for a game at Old Trafford is another thing, but there can be no doubts the two can operate in tandem.

Options for Old Trafford

Which begs the question, what will Monk do for that Manchester trip?

Throwing three in attack – even if Routledge did drop back to form a midfield four when Reading had the ball – could be a tad too adventurous against United, especially with van Gaal currently enjoying the counter tactic after success with the Netherlands in Brazil.

But Monk’s re-shaping of the squad does give him quite a bit of room for manoeuvre. He has shown willing to play a 4-4-2 diamond and with Sigurdsson loving life back as a No.10 that certainly could work.

But Jefferson Montero’s introduction after the break which showcased his rapid pace, along with Nathan Dyer, illustrated that there is still the option to go for more traditional wingers, be it as a four or pushed up alongside the one striker a la the Swansea set-up of the past few years.

Huw Evans Picture Agency

New Swansea man Jefferson Montero

Ki showing maturity

The calls grew increasingly louder for Ki Sung-Yeung to return from his Sunderland loan last season, and it was always going to be interesting to see whether that will be justified this year.

A major criticism of Ki’s in his first year at the Liberty was that he would not control games and be the dominant central midfielder the Swans needed. He showed signs of being able to do that both with the Black Cats and with his country, and, while he didn’t completely run the show against Reading, there were signs that there is a maturity and a growing acceptance of his responsibility from the South Korean.

Far, far greater tests await, but there was a class about Ki, some sensible passing and reading of the game and important defensive work. In contrast, Jonjo Shelvey appeared a little sloppy at times, which he will hope he can get out of his system in pre-season.

Another midfielder needed

Whatever formations are used, it appears at least one of the roles Monk will look to fill with any further signings will be central midfield.

With no news on Jonathan de Guzman’s possible return and Leon Britton and youngster Jay Fulton both still missing, the need to have reinforcement in the middle of the park is apparent.

Sigurdsson could play a more traditional midfield role if needed, but at the moment only Ki and Shelvey are truly comfortable in Swansea’s typical holding two. One more would certainly not go amiss.

Action Images / Paul Childs

Swansea's Gylfi Sigurdsson

Battle at the back

A full-back and possibly centre-half could also be on the cards for Monk, but both Dwight Tiendalli and Kyle Bartley put their hands up at Reading to be considered as serious challengers for places.

Tiendalli was rightly criticised for some of his dismal displays last year, but he looked a different player at the Madejski, albeit against weaker opposition.

Both on the front foot and defensively, he seems to have shaped up from the liability he became last time around with heavy involvement going forward – his cross tempting Sean Morrison into an inexplicable punch in the box that led to Bony’s penalty miss – while he put in some good covering tackles. Bartley still needs work on the ball, a sloppy pass leading to Blackman’s goal, but his physical presence was noted.

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